Answers to Questions from The Research Club

What does it really take to teach art, creativity and critical thinking?

It is important to me that we step away from being afraid of defining ourselves as artists, because someone or something in our lives has discouraged us to do so. Let us not be afraid to own something that is within us, or to be a part of something great.

In my little experience of teaching art, I have learned that it is important to go to the place first, find what the people in the place need and want, and then facilitate that course according to the need. The need might be that kids make a picture for their friend, or build their self-esteem by making objects, the need might also be a survival course for backpacking in the wild, or building a chicken coop- the possibilities are endless, but it is up to the teacher to help direct it.

In regards to Public Social University, we’ve found that doing events on different themes has been successful. I believe that the reason is because there is a desire to learn in our community. What we try to do with Public Social University, to me, is much like composing a musical piece, which brings a person from one realm of thought and possibility to the next. I enjoy organizing Public Social University events to start with addressing the theme or issue, to explore the issue, and to leave people with the tools to do something about it, in a hopeful way.

In regards to creativity, I don’t believe that creativity can be taught, though I do believe that we can challenge ourselves, and that everyone has an innate ability to be creative in that which interests them.

On critical thinking: it is important to think about place, about ourselves, our heritage, our surroundings, our medium, what is happening right now, how we are feeling, why we are making an object or designing an interactive project. Deciding what and why might help us to make the object or event better. To me, giving meaning to a work is valuable.

Making things is a tool for communication, it is also a way to have fun. It is important for me at times to think of art nonsensically; there is no reason for it. Period.

Are university courses worth the investment made by students, and what effect do they have on the greater world of art?

I don’t believe that in general university courses on art are worth the investment made by students, but I do believe that learning can help students to grow, change, make new connections and discover new things about themselves that would most definitely benefit them as artists. Though university is a business, teachers really do care and want to expose us to the art that’s out in the world. If a person is available to soak in all of the information that is taught in art school, then they will benefit, but it is not a necessity. It is up to a person whether or not the time and money spent on going to art school is “worth it.”

Are there better ways to foster creative communities and advance the arts?

I don’t know.

The arts will advance whether or not there are students taking art classes, and many art communities will exist whether or not an art school exists. I am not even sure what “advancing the arts” means. I personally think that they are always evolving.

Perhaps if we were to “advance the arts” in Portland, we as individuals should explore human life experiences, world knowledge, and of course I believe that being involved in free education and a stronger community network can help. There is a lot of bureaucracy in the art world. I would love to see that lesson a little. I once decided that I wanted to lead my social practice class in making a really long hopscotch, my intention at first was to build the hopscotch right in front of the art museum. Someone from the group was interning at the museum, and expressed that he did not want to build the hopscotch there because it might upset someone. Making public, socially engaged art should challenge the higher-ups in the art world, art is what you make of it, we should not put boundaries on ourselves to create. I have been thinking a lot lately about how it’s ok if something that I do upsets someone, that is the nature of controversy, and that is what often works to get your point across.